It starts at a roundabout on the A68, at the northern end of the dual carriageway section that road has had since the other side of the A1(M). The A6072 heads north and bypasses Heighington (although originally went through the village) before reaching Shildon.

The 1922 route of the A6072 went through Shildon to South Church; it was soon extended along the B6285 into Bishop Auckland proper. However, upgrading the A688 in this area also provided an opportunity to upgrade the A6072. The old road is numbered B6282 as far as the Bishop Auckland bypass and then A689 from there on. The current A6072 now bypasses Shildon before heading to the west of its original route to cross the River Gaunless and meet the A688 at Tindale Crescent.